Ornithogalum plant named  &#39;MFPRINSTAR&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ornithogalum  cultivar named ‘MFPRINSTAR’ is disclosed, characterized by long inflorescence of 30 cm, height of 60 cm, a high yield of 2-3 flowers per bulb, and light orange flower petals. The new variety is an  Ornithogalum , normally produced as an ornamental plant or cut flower.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Ornithogalum dubium

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MFPRINSTAR’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Ornithogalum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Michael Frank, in Moshav Givat Chen, Israel.The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Ornithogalumvarieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting inthis new variety was made during March of 2012.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, commercial variety referred to asOrnithogalum ‘MFGOLDSTAR’. The pollen parent is the unpatented,commercial variety referred to as Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’. The newvariety was discovered in March of 2013 by the inventor in a group ofseedlings resulting from the 2012 crossing, in a research greenhouse inMoshav Givat Chen, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by tissueculture. This was first performed at a research laboratory in MoshavGivat Chen, Israel in March of 2013 and has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type inmultiple successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘MFPRINSTAR’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘MFPRINSTAR’ as a new and distinct Ornithogalumcultivar:

1. Light orange petals2. Long inflorescence (30 cm)3. Average height—60 cm4. High yield: 2-3 flowers per bulb5. 150 days to flowering

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, Ornithogalum ‘MFGOLDSTAR’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ differin the following;

1. Light orange flowers, the seed parent has a dark yellow flower.2. 30 cm long inflorescence, the seed parent has 10 cm longinflorescence.3. Height is 60 cm, the seed parent is 50 cm.4. Produces 2-3 flowers per bulb, while the seed parent produces 1-2flowers per bulb.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ differin the following;

1. Produces 2-3 flowers per bulb, the pollen parent produces 1-2 flowersper bulb2. Has a 30 cm long inflorescence, the pollen parent has 20 cm longinflorescence.3. Flowers color is light orange, the pollen parent has orange flowers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ are comparable to the unpatentedcommercial variety Ornithogalum ‘MFWHITSTAR’. The two Ornithogalumvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘MFPRINSTAR’ differs in the following:

1. The new variety has light orange flowers, while the comparator haswhite flowers.2. The new variety height is 60 cm, while the comparator is 55 cm inheight.3. The new variety has smooth stem, while the comparator has a texturedstem.4. The new variety is dubium compatible, while the comparator is dubiumincompatible.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ can also be comparable to theunpatented commercial variety Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’. The twoOrnithogalum varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, the new variety ‘MFPRINSTAR’ differs in thefollowing:

1. The new variety has light orange flowers, while the comparator hasorange flowers.2. The new variety produces 2-3 stems per bulb, while the comparatorproduces 1-2 stems per bulb.3. The new variety flowers after 150 days, while the comparator flowersafter 120 days.4. The new variety is relatively resistant to Erwinia , while thecomparator highly sensitive to Erwinia

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical flowering stem of ‘MFPRINSTAR’ grown in a nursery. Thephotograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colorsmay appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it isas accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2001 except where general termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘MFPRINSTAR’ plants grown outdoors and ingreenhouse during the Spring, and Summer in Moshav Givat Chen, Israel.The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the day andfrom 17° C. to 23° C. during the night. General light conditions arebright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Ornithogalum ‘MFPRINSTAR’-   Propagation:    -   -   Type of propagation typically used.—Cutting.        -   Time to initiate roots.—10-14 days.        -   Root description.—Fibrous.-   Plant:    -   -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 5 months.        -   Pot size of plant described.—Planted in soil.        -   Typical time to produce a flowering plant            commercially.—150-180 days.        -   Height.—Approximately 40 cm to top of highest leaf.            Approximately 60 cm to top of highest inflorescence.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 25 cm.        -   Growth rate.—High.        -   Branching characteristics.—Non-branching.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Rosette Average Length: Approximately            25 cm. Average Width: Approximately 5 cm. Shape of blade:            Sharp tip, flattened Apex: Sharp tip Base: Flattened Margin:            Smooth Texture of top surface: Smooth Texture of bottom            surface: Smooth Quantity of leaves per plant: Approximately            7 Venation: Type: Linear.-   Flower:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Spring.        -   Flowering stems produced per bulb.—2-3.        -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Long raceme.        -   Rate of flower opening.—3-5 days from pigments formation.        -   Flower longevity on plant, or in vase if cut flower.—6 weeks            and 3 weeks respectively.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—40.        -   Average inflorescence per plant.—1.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height: Approximately 30 cm. Width:            Approximately 4 cm.        -   Individual flowers.—Length: Approximately 3 cm Width:            Approximately 3 cm Petals: Quantity: 6 Shape: Eliptic,            concave Length: Approximately 1.5 cm Width: Approximately 1            cm Margin: Smooth Apex: Tip-like Base: Smooth Texture:            Smooth Appearance: Matte.        -   Color.—Petals: When opening: Outer surface: Near RHS NO25            Inner surface: Near RHS NO25 Fully opened: Outer surface:            Near RHS NO25 Inner surface: Near RHS NO25 Color Changes            when Aging: Yes. Become brown when petals getting old            Sepals: Quantity: 40 Shape: Concave Blade-like Length:            Approximately 2-5 cm Width: Approximately 1 cm Margin:            Smooth Apex: Sharp tip Base: Smooth Texture: Smooth            Appearance: Matte.        -   Color.—Sepals: When opening: Green Outer surface: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144C Inner surface: Near RHS. Yellow-Green 144C            Fully opened: Outer surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C            Inner surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Bud.—Shape: Conic. Length: Approximately 1 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 0.5 cm. Color: Green Near RHS.        -   Pedicels.—Length: Approximately 3 cm. Width: Approximately            0.01 cm. Aspect: Angular Strength: Firm Texture: Smooth            Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.        -   Scape.—Length: Approximately 60 cm Width: Approximately 1 cm            Texture: Smooth Angle: Erect Strength: High Color: Near RHS            Green 137B.        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 6 Filament Length: Approximately 0.4 cm.            Filament Color: Near RHS Black 202A Anther length: 0.3 cm            Anther color: Near RHS Yellow 3A Anther shape: Tag-like            Pollen: Sphere with pits.        -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: Approximately 0.3 cm. Style color:            Near RHS Black 202A Stigma: Shape: Triple Color: Near RHS            Black 202A.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Completely fertile.        -   Disease/pest resistance.—Resistance to Erwinia corotovora.            Neither resistance nor susceptibility to other normal            diseases and pests of Ornithogalum has been observed.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerates temperatures from            approximately 1° C. to 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ornithogalum plantnamed ‘MFPRINSTAR’ as herein illustrated and described.